[Calvin Trilllin] is not writing about things that I can criticize. I can call these other people out for what I think they are not doing. There's a big difference.

When one person mentors, two lives are changed.

When I graduated [from Yale], I went back to Larry [Kramer]. But when I go to Yale reunions, there are still people who call me David.

Calvin [Trillin] was much more of a mover and a shaker. That's all I'm saying. I was a "weenie." That was another term back then.

That's why I tried to kill myself when I was a student [in Yale]. I thought I was the only one there.

I'm sorry to keep focusing on the New Yorker, but everybody who was growing up when Calvin [Trillin] and I were growing up wanted to be published in the New Yorker.

I talked to [Larry] Kramer a little bit about it while I was writing 'Remembering Denny' . Denny was one of those people who took a long time to come out.

"Shoe" just meant you were a big jock on campus no matter what field you were in.

[Calvin Trillin] was very "shoe," which means he was a big jock, a big deal.

One thing I learned in sobriety is to stop being judgmental, to always be discerning. When I drive, that will be my bumper sticker.

I am a theist. I live life between that "a" and the "t." It's a vast little space.

If you fail, you will be sad. But if you quit, you will be mad. Don't give up on your dreams. Get up. You can do it!

Spiritual-self consist of self-confidence and self-power.

Or is what remains in me like a defeated army, Fleeing in disarray from victory already won?

If you make friends with yourself you will never be alone.

Brief is this existence, as a visit in a strange house. The path to be pursued is poorly lit by a flickering consciousness.

Let things taste of what they are.

Radical Christianity is not going on a missions trip or a big conference. Radical Christianity is staying steady for decades.

The eyes start love; intimacy perfects it.

My business is to prevent the future.

It is not happiness until you capture it and store it out of the reach of time.